It's a surefire way to incur the wrath of fans who once cheered you – and as Chris Wise discovers, few players dare to represent both Norwich and Ipswich

Eastern Daily Press: Alan Lee, in action for the Canaries against Ipswich. Photo: Nick Butcher.Alan Lee, in action for the Canaries against Ipswich. Photo: Nick Butcher. (Image: Archant � 2009)

Since 1980 only 12 players have represented both clubs, while just have four moved directly from one to the other.

The last time it happened was in 2001, and even then there was no contact between the two East Anglian rivals, with Andy Marshall out of contract when he decided to cross the great divide and try his luck south of the border.

The move infuriated City fans, not just because one of their best players was joining the old enemy but also because he did so after letting his contract run down, meaning the Canaries received no fee for his services. Marshall chose to move to further his career, with Town having just finished fifth in the Premier League to qualify for Europe while the Canaries ended up mid-table in the old Division One.

But it didn't quite work out that way, with Town going down the next season and Marshall soon finding himself out of favour. He did have one memorable afternoon, however, ignoring the derision from the stands to help his side to a 2-0 win at Carrow Road in March, 2003.

You have to go back a lot further for the three other direct moves.

In 1980 Clive Woods, a key man for Ipswich during their glory years under Bobby Robson, returned to his home city club for what turned out to be his swansong in professional football while six years later John Deehan left for Portman Road, with Trevor Putney moving in the opposite direction.

Having scored 70 goals in 199 appearances 'Dixie' never hit the same heights in his new surroundings, although a record of 14 goals in 63 games was respectable enough.

Putney is a rare example of a player who shone brightly for both clubs, playing 127 games for Town and exactly 100 for City.

Ten years on and there was nearly another 'cross-the-divide' deal, but having agreed to join Ipswich Ian Crook had second thoughts when Mike Walker returned as manager and opted to stay put.

In recent years player connections have been few and far between, with striker Alan Lee the last man to represent both clubs.

Players who have represented both clubs since 1980

• Clive Baker - Norwich City 1978-81 (16-0-0), Ipswich Town 1992-96 (57-1-0)

• Matthew Bates - Ipswich Town 2006 (2-0-0), Norwich City 2008 (2-1-0)

• Keith Bertschin - Ipswich Town 1973-77 (20-13-8), Norwich City - 1981-84 (136-2-38)

• John Deehan - Norwich City 1981-85 (194-5-70), Ipswich Town 1986-88 (56-7-14)

• Louie Donowa - Norwich City 1982-85 (70-10-15), Ipswich Town - 1989-90 (21-8-2)

• David Healy - Norwich City 2003 (10-3-2), Ipswich Town 2010 (5-7-1)

• Alan Lee - Ipswich Town 2006-08, 2014 (96-14-34), Norwich City - 2009 (6-1-2)

• Kevin Lisbie - Norwich City 2005-6 (4-2-1), Ipswich Town - 2008-11 (26-19-7)

• Andy Marshall - Norwich City 1994-01 (217-2-0), Ipswich Town 2001-4 (65-0-0)

• Trevor Putney - Ipswich Town 1980-86 (118-9-9), Norwich City 1986-89 (94-6-10)

• Clive Woods - Ipswich Town 1969-80 (278-61-31, Norwich City 1980-81 (34-3-4)

• David Wright - Norwich City 2005 (5-0-0), Ipswich Town 2007-10 (125-3-5)